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Latest Blog Posts from Wednesday in the Word, the podcast about what the Bible means and how we know.
Does God tempt or test us?
Does God tempt us? Or test us? What’s the difference? The distinction between testing and tempting concerns the motives of the one doing the testing.
Understanding Jesus
When I was a new believer, the words of Jesus were baffling. Thankfully, I’ve grown to understand him. I have reached two conclusions about the teaching of Jesus.
2022 Reflections
I have a lot to be thankful for this year. I have reached the stage of life that Tevye dreamed about in his song “If I were a rich man.” This podcast allows me to spend many hours every day in prayer and Bible study, for which I am very thankful. Truth be told, I’d do it even if know one else listened. But it’s nice to be able to share the “wealth.”
Why a Bible Study Podcast?
Why do a podcast on what the Bible means and how we know when we’re practically drowning in online sermons? Because Bible study is a lost art.
25 Most Popular Icebreakers
Over my years as Women’s Ministry Director, I collected a lot of ice breakers. After all you can’t use the same 4 ice breakers at the same ministry events year after year. But when ones are best? According to research, these are the 25 most popular.
December 2022 Reflections
Thanks to all of you who listened to all 65 episodes on the Gospel of Matthew! It’s been an incredible journey for me and I hope for you, too. What’s been your favorite part? Anything that surprised you? Something you never understood before? Anything make more sense now? I’d love to hear from you!
Why Jesus came, a Christmas message
The angel tells Joseph something about this son Mary will have. Who does the angel say this child is?
65 Matthew 12:22-50 A Tree and its fruit
Each one of us must decide what to do with Jesus. Sitting on the fence is not an option. The stumbling block is not lack of evidence. The stumbling block is the stubbornness of our hearts. In the end, we do not believe, because we do not want to believe.
helper, paraklétos, G3875
Tools and resources you need to do a word study on the Greek word for helper, paraklétos.
64 Matthew 12:15-21 Behold my Servant
For the second time, Matthew quotes an Old Testament prophecy as predictive prophecy. Isaiah says ‘Behold my servant’ and explains something about how the Servant will act. Matthew shows us this is out Jesus acted.
force, biazo, G971
Tools and resources you need to do a word study on the biblical Greek verb for compel or force, biazo, G971.
Christmas Carol Sing
Enjoy this is a 30 minute video of Reggie Coates leading 10 Christmas songs that you can sing-a-long with and be drawn into the Christmas season with a focus on Jesus.
63 Matthew 12:1-14 Two Sabbath stories
The Sabbath played a big role in the worsening relationship between Jesus and the Pharisees. Matthew gives us only these two stories. By the end of the second story, we learn that Pharisees are planning to kill Jesus partly because of his views on the Sabbath.
November 2022 Reflections
Why did so many people reject Jesus when they saw him face to face? For people who are self-satisfied and indifferent to God, miracles change nothing. They believe they already have wisdom.
Old Testament Maps
Old Testament Maps: Here are my favorite maps related to the Old Testament and where to find them from Wednesday in the Word.
62 Matthew 11:25-30 Take my yoke
For people who are self-satisfied and indifferent to God, miracles change nothing. They believe they already have wisdom and they reject Jesus. But those who are know they are needy and weary understand the miracles and embrace the wisdom of Jesus teaching. To them Jesus promises rest.
Should Christians fast today?
My study of fasting in Scripture taught me two things. 1) If you want to fast as a religious ritual, do it from a heart that is expressing a genuine faith and sincere desire to know and love God; and 2) Don’t use fasting as a test to reject your fellow believers and/or impress other people.
New Testament Maps
New Testament Maps: Here are my favorite maps related to the New Testament and where to find them from Wednesday in the Word.
61 Matthew 11:16-24 Woe to unrepentant cities
What Malachi predicted is finally happening. This generation finally stands in the presence of the herald and the Messiah. How does this generation receive that message? Jesus explains with an analogy: Jesus and John are like children sitting in the marketplace playing the flute and calling to their friends to dance, but their friends refuse
deliver, paradidomi, G3860
Tools and resources you need to do a word study on the Biblical Greek verb for deliver, paradidomi G3860.
Marks of false Teachers
A vital part of your Bible study arsenal is learning to recognize false teachers. Here are three interesting lists — both modern and classic — on how to discern a true teacher from a false teacher. Notice the similarities.
60 Matthew 11:7-15 John the Baptist’s role
Jesus was so different from the Messiah people expected, even John the Baptist had moments where he wondered if Jesus was the Messiah. If he’s really a prophet, how could John become confused? In this passage, Jesus answers that question.
wise, sophos, G4680
Tools and resources you need to do a word study on the Greek word for wise, sophos.
What is All Saint’s Day?
What is All Saint’s Day? All Saints’ Day is a time to celebrate heroes of the faith from scripture, as well as prominent figures in the early church.
October 2022 Reflections
After receiving direct revelation from God that Jesus was the Messiah, why did John the Baptist send his disciples to ask Jesus if he was the One? In his answer, Jesus basically says: “Focus on what I am doing, instead of what I’m not doing.” We’ll develop that theme of Jesus as the unexpected Messiah in Matthew 11.
59 Matthew 11:1-6 Are you the one?
Matthew shifts his focus to the how people respond to Jesus. Most reject him. Even John the Baptist becomes confused, because Jesus is not acting like the Messiah he expected.
receive, dechomai, G1209
Tools and resources you need to do a word study on the Greek verb to receive, dechomai.
5 Questions to Identify a Cult
How do you recognize a group which claims to represent genuine, apostolic Christianity but in reality does not? Here are 5 questions that separate “the sheep” from “the wolves.”
Reggie’s Home Concert 1
Enjoy Reggie Coates in his first 1-hour long home concert. Reggie streamed this concert during the COVID lock down.
58 Matthew 10:40-42 Receiving a prophet
Jesus ends this discourse by telling the Twelve their role is like the prophets. They are standing in the place of Jesus. How people respond to the apostles reveals how they respond to Jesus.
Who was Beelzebul?
Jews of New Testament times used ‘Beelzebul’ as a name for Satan, the prince of demons.
Emergent Theology building on thin air
Emergent Theology claims theological certainty is an idol, but Paul claims the authority to speak on behalf of God.
57 Matthew 10:34-39 Not peace, a sword
Ultimately Jesus’ role is to bring peace and restoration to the earth, but not yet. Now he came to bring a sword because his message requires a choice and that choice divides even families. To follow Jesus, you must be willing to live with that rejection and hostility, even if it means losing your closest family members or your very life.
finish, teleó, G5055
Tools and resources you need to do a word study on the Biblical Greek verb to end, complete or fulfill, teleó, G5055.
Growing Older and Breaking the Huddle Syndrome
With my birthday approaching, I’m again wondering “how someone so young can be this old?” That thought inspired this 2015 post on how in modern American culture growing older means becoming invisible. Unfortunately this trend is also infecting the church.